Endorsement: Ives over Adams in House District 42

Jeanne Ives is a Wheaton City Council member who survived a four-way Republican primary in the spring. She has studied the issues, met with community leaders and not only understands how state government works, but also how it doesn’t work. She says she will hit the ground running and won’t be afraid to shake things up in Springfield if she is elected Nov. 6 to represent the 42nd Illinois House District. Her Democratic opponent, William Adams, also of Wheaton, is well-intentioned and also has some strong opinions on how to improve the governing now lacking in Springfield. He is independent of House Speaker Michael Madigan, for example. But his ideas on creating new commissions to tackle the hard issues of pension reform and budget cutting don’t underscore the importance of getting something done quickly. We endorse Ives, a tax adviser, bookkeeper and mother of five, but with some strong reservations on her stances regarding social issues. For example, she is opposed to all abortions — no exceptions for rape, incest or health of the mother. But in this election, the focus is on state finances first and foremost. She understands the need to fix these long-standing problems, has some specific ideas, and on that basis she earns the nod. District 42 takes in parts of Carol Stream, West Chicago, Wheaton, Winfield, Naperville and Lisle.